Lock and Load
When sisters and hardworking moms Cara Workman and Robyn Workman Marzullo founded the Sandy Springs Gun Club and Range, they envisioned a truly singular facility serving metro Atlanta gun enthusiasts–one that was clean, safe and female-friendly, with an affable, welcoming atmosphere.
They Shoot, They Score
After identifying the absence of a facility in the community that appealed to and could service novice and expert shooters alike, and where, Marzullo says, she and her sister would both feel comfortable taking up the sport, they invited into the fold two secret weapons: Vice President Ronn Brown and General Manager Ken Kelmer, who are working in concert with the club’s lady founders to change the culture of gun ranges. Together they’ve created a facility comprised of 16 ranges and top-notch equipment, including a state-of-the-art Firearms Training Simulator designed to introduce novices to the how-tos of shooting. A full spectrum of expert instruction and courses such as “Introduction to Firearms,” “Advanced Shooting” and “Gun Maintenance,” in addition to training and re-certification courses for the Sandy Springs Police Department, also are offered.
Safety First
Safety is emphasized at the range, which boasts an atmosphere 100-percent free of lead contamination, thanks to an advanced air purification system that exceeds military standards. Level eight ballistic glass windows equipped to stop everything up to a .50 caliber BMG, interior shooting stations designed to stop bullets from ricocheting after an accidental discharge and wall traps are among the protective measures taken by this safety-first facility.
Home at the Range
The club offers annual memberships, free-range and firearm rentals, and an exclusive members’ lounge with flat-screen TVs, a Blu-ray Disc player, complimentary Wi-Fi and a cleaning station. And for Ladies’ Night on Thursday evenings there’s even a waiving of the $14 range fee. Primarily staffed by females, this weekly event provides women with expert instruction in a safe, supportive and comfortable environment. And because “guns are not one size fits all,” Brown says, the range stocks its retail shop with a variety of guns, ammo, bags, posters, cleaning and maintenance supplies, as well as 80 different gun rentals.
Join the Club
Those new to the shooting range are encouraged to visit the facility, and Brown suggests skeptics approach guns and ownership practically. “[A gun] is a tool–nothing more, nothing less,” he says. “If I need the tool, I need to know how to use it, like a hammer or a saw. If someone breaks into my house, I want to protect myself.”
Behind the Scenes
Ronn Brown, vice president of the Sandy Springs Gun Club and Range, has an extensive background in weapons. He spent two years in intelligence in Vietnam, and worked in the maintenance management business, maintaining assets and equipment, typically weapon systems. He also worked in petrochemicals and transportation, maintaining tanks. Ken Kelmer, general manager of the Sandy Springs Gun Club and Range, heads the facility’s instructional team and rightfully so. He is a former private detective, fire paramedic and instructor at the Baghdad Police College. He was in charge of all the gun ranges throughout Iraq while he was in the country, as well as 165 dogs. While there, he taught Iraqis life-saving veterinary medicine.